Ohio State football: Meyer dealing with the luxury of having two QBs

By
John Kampf, The News-Herald

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

COLUMBUS — The general philosophy with platooning quarterbacks is, “If you have two quarterbacks, that means you don’t have one.”
Ohio State might make an convincing case for being the exception to that rule.
The Buckeyes have the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Walter Camp Football Foundation National Player of the Week.
And that player might be taking a seat this week, or maybe even share some snaps.
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer listed Heisman Trophy candidate Braxton Miller as “probable” for this Saturday’s game against visiting Florida A&M. Miller, who was injured on the first series of a Week 2 game against San Diego State, has missed pretty much two full games with a sprained knee.
In his absence, fifth-year senior Kenny Guiton has led Ohio State to two victories, including a 52-34 win over California this past Saturday. Guiton threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 92 yards in the victory.
Over the past two weeks, Guiton has completed 40 of 60 passes for 428 yards and six touchdowns.
And he’s not a lock to start this week or any week from here on out.
“If he’s ready, he’ll play this week,” Meyer said of Miller on Monday during his weekly news conference at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Meyer said he held out hope throughout last week Miller would be ready for the game against California. By last Thursday, chances had dwindled to a long shot. Friday “didn’t look good,” and one last test on Saturday confirmed Guiton would be making his first career college start.
While Meyer admitted sprained medial collateral ligament sprains, such as Miller’s, can linger, he still listed Miller as probable.
“I’ll have to evaluate that as we go,” Meyer said. “The lateral movement is (the question). I think straight ahead (running), he can go right now.”
So can Guiton, something he proved over the past two weeks.
So what about that adage, “If you have two quarterbacks, that means you don’t have one?”
Ohio State isn’t buying it.
Meyer feels he has two good ones and wants to exploit that advantage.
“Kenny Guiton has earned some time,” Meyer said. “He did a nice job.”
Guiton’s performance has put Meyer and the Buckeyes in an interesting situation.
“If (Guiton) is one of the best 11, you have an obligation to get him on the field a little bit,” Meyer said. “I haven’t said he’s one of the best 11 yet, but that’s something we are in the process as coaches to ID that.”
The thoughts of sitting Guiton down in favor of Miller, benching Miller after two huge weeks by Guiton or even considering having two quarterbacks on the field at the same time and thus sitting down other offensive weapons is mind-boggling to say the least.
“I’m not sure,” said Guiton on Monday when asked if playing two quarterbacks would work. “I really have no clue on that. I’ll let (the coaches) handle that.
“I don’t know if you need two, but it’s a plus we do have two good quarterbacks who can go out and operate the offense.”
In breaking down the quarterback position, receiver Devin Smith said Miller makes defenders miss more when he runs, but both quarterbacks know the offense and throw the ball “extremely well.”
Meyer said Guiton is more of a natural option quarterback than Miller, who “is not quite as natural pitching the ball.” Ohio State ran a considerable amount of option plays the past two weeks, doing so with great proficiency.
The inventory is plentiful. Ohio State has two experienced quarterbacks. Both are captains. Both have shown they can lead the Buckeyes’ high-scoring offense.
The only question now is can and will they both play this week and going forward?
“We didn’t have that dilemma a year ago,” Meyer said, pausing briefly to choose his words carefully.
“Not a dilemma, but a luxury.”Video of Ohio State quarterback Kenny GuitonVideo of Urban Meyer praising Kenny GuitonVideo of Urban Meyer discussing the option offense